Gardner Marvin Bridges

Leicester – Gardner Marvin Bridges, 53, of Dix Creek One Rd in Leicester, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 27, 2022. A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he was preceded in death by his infant son, Mason Gardner Bridges, who passed away in 2014. Gardner was a 1987 graduate of Erwin High School and held two master’s degrees from Western Carolina University. He taught elementary school for 10 years before advancing his career to become a school administrator at the primary, elementary, intermediate, and middle school levels. After retiring from Buncombe County with 25 years of service, Gardner pursued a second career in human resources management and was the current HR director with Sanesco International Inc. Gardner was a current member of Pole Creek Baptist Church and a former member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church for more than 45 years. He taught Sunday school and served as a deacon, as a youth pastor, and on finance properties and pulpit committees, and in many other areas of need. Gardner loved serving the Lord through music and often participated in the choir and praise team. Gardner loved his Lord and Savior, and we rejoice that they are now together. Gardner is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Lenora “Cissy” Bridges, and the four precious children they were raising together, nieces Bobbie and Kirbie and nephews John and Henry, all of the home; his parents, Howard and Jewel Bridges of Asheville; brothers, Daniel (Jennifer) of Charlotte and Jeremy (Lisa) of Apex; grandfather-in-law, William Costello of Asheville; mother-in-law, Barbara Hensley of Asheville; brothers-in-law, William Hensley (Rachel) and Bobby Hensley (Rowan) of Asheville, and Michael Hensley of New York; sisters-in-law, Virginia Bhashkar (Vinnie) and Jean Carrion-Velazquez (Gabi) of Nashville, and Mary Hensley (Jacob) of Asheville, as well as many more nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, loved ones, coworkers, and former students. Gardner never met a stranger, was a hard worker, and cared about investing in children’s lives. He had a heart of gold, a larger-than-life personality, and he is truly going to be missed. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 PM Sunday, July 3, 2022, in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Ben Heise and Rev. Dr. Ronnie Owen officiating. A private burial will precede the service at Sluder Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 PM until 2 PM on Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: http://gofundme.com/help-the-bridges-bunch.